canleo98
08-12 01:00 AM
What BEC? BECs were established in March 2005.
BEC= Backlog Elimination Center, theywere for elimination of backlogs for LC's:o
BEC= Backlog Elimination Center, theywere for elimination of backlogs for LC's:o
wallpaper 2011 Bentley Mulsanne Interior
whiteStallion
09-10 04:54 PM
I still don't get it how USCIS works...:( Guess its high time somebody from USCIS writes a book or whitepaper on this subject. Or some post-grad can try writing a thesis on this to get their PhD! :rolleyes:
satyasrd
08-12 01:22 PM
We all know that these IT companies/ "body shops" will not bear the brunt of this.
It is always the employees who will get distressed. Large organizations will quietly offshore more jobs while smaller ones will charge this from the employee, legal or not.
I pity those who think this will create more jobs for Americans. They are truly ignorant of how the system works.
And like most of you already mentioned, it's funny how a small group (few thousand) of legal immigrants are targeted while millions of illegals (and the companies that hire them) are going untouched !
It is always the employees who will get distressed. Large organizations will quietly offshore more jobs while smaller ones will charge this from the employee, legal or not.
I pity those who think this will create more jobs for Americans. They are truly ignorant of how the system works.
And like most of you already mentioned, it's funny how a small group (few thousand) of legal immigrants are targeted while millions of illegals (and the companies that hire them) are going untouched !
2011 2011 Bentley Mulsanne interior
kevinkris
01-03 08:42 PM
Applied Aug 13th.. FP done.. EAD cards came.. no AP yet..:mad:
more...
piyu7444
09-12 07:40 PM
I am in....will do what the group decides for...........clock, call whatever...
aray
08-14 08:37 PM
I totally agree with you. I have read the original message several times too and I am sure they mean June 2008. Our only hope is if they meant Mexico only, and not al EB categories.
I have read the Original quote several times and dont see how they mean June 2007, To me it is clear that they are talking about June 2008.
Sorry to sound so negative, but I think we are looking at something like Sept 2001 for EB3-I in Oct bulletin.
I have read the Original quote several times and dont see how they mean June 2007, To me it is clear that they are talking about June 2008.
Sorry to sound so negative, but I think we are looking at something like Sept 2001 for EB3-I in Oct bulletin.
more...
andy garcia
10-01 05:08 PM
Let us wait for the statement from USCIS
It is a long wait.
First the DOS publishes a preliminary report on March/April
then the final report from CIS is not published until July/August of the following year.
It is a long wait.
First the DOS publishes a preliminary report on March/April
then the final report from CIS is not published until July/August of the following year.
2010 entley mulsanne
msp1976
12-18 02:58 PM
.....WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR EMPLOYERS FEEL THE IMPACT OF NOT HAVING US FOREIGN WORKERS.....THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS EXPLOITATION....
Hit them where it hurts the most.
..We cannot say things like exploitation or make the employers feel ...This is feed for the anti immigratin lobby..You put up stuff like this and they start painting you as their poster boy to show why the whole H1B program should be abolished......If we do conduct a strike ..it would cause no disruption at all..Frankly nobody is indispensible...Striking is equivalent of biting the had that feeds us...
Hit them where it hurts the most.
..We cannot say things like exploitation or make the employers feel ...This is feed for the anti immigratin lobby..You put up stuff like this and they start painting you as their poster boy to show why the whole H1B program should be abolished......If we do conduct a strike ..it would cause no disruption at all..Frankly nobody is indispensible...Striking is equivalent of biting the had that feeds us...
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NKR
06-25 03:38 PM
This is thread for What America is loosing...
I find it out of context. Please elaborate - I feel some hiddem message is there - needs to clearly come out.
Why is loosing such a loosely used word?. Guys, it is losing not loosing. Lose and loose have different meanings.
I find it out of context. Please elaborate - I feel some hiddem message is there - needs to clearly come out.
Why is loosing such a loosely used word?. Guys, it is losing not loosing. Lose and loose have different meanings.
hair 2011 Bentley Mulsanne interior
gc4me
07-06 01:56 PM
Because I don't have enough time left of my H1B so that I can get a new I-140 approval before my H1B expires. I am in my 7th year. The only option I have is to port my PD. But I don't have I-140 approval copy, only the receipt #.
why cant u go to another employer...I think if ur current employer is not willing to file 485 for u..then u have NO OPTION BUT TO SWITCH EMPLOYER....
why cant u go to another employer...I think if ur current employer is not willing to file 485 for u..then u have NO OPTION BUT TO SWITCH EMPLOYER....
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axp817
11-26 10:21 AM
Sharing what I read on IV - some members reported their 140 status reverted to 'pending' along with a recent LUD when their ex-employer revoked already approved 140. In your case, status is not changed. Keep an eye on status. Hopefully, CIS will not do another wrongful denial, crossing my fingers. Best Luck bro!
Thank you, I'll keep everyone posted if anything changes.
I called USCIS customer service to ask for the attorney name on file and they said that they didn't have access to that information and I would have to get an Infopass appointment for that. Given the crap that ChanduV had to deal with (for changing jobs on AC21) during his infopass appointment, it is probably best I just wait to ask that question until my second biometric appointment is due in a few months.
Thanks,
Thank you, I'll keep everyone posted if anything changes.
I called USCIS customer service to ask for the attorney name on file and they said that they didn't have access to that information and I would have to get an Infopass appointment for that. Given the crap that ChanduV had to deal with (for changing jobs on AC21) during his infopass appointment, it is probably best I just wait to ask that question until my second biometric appointment is due in a few months.
Thanks,
hot 2011 Bentley Mulsanne Back
sanagani
03-05 10:43 PM
Even though my priority date is 2005 dec under EB3 , i have one soft LUD on my and my dependentcaseon feb 10 amd one more soft LUD on primary applicant case on feb 27 09...
more...
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immigrant-in-law
01-10 02:07 AM
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to let you know that my EB3 I-140 got approved today. I am a July 2007 concurrent filer. This wait has been frustrating and I've had to let many good opportunities pass by. I had, in the last 2 months, opened 2 service requests. I am not sure if they did the jobor may be the time has come when we will see July approvals coming in hordes.
Good luck to all of you.
Just wanted to let you know that my EB3 I-140 got approved today. I am a July 2007 concurrent filer. This wait has been frustrating and I've had to let many good opportunities pass by. I had, in the last 2 months, opened 2 service requests. I am not sure if they did the jobor may be the time has come when we will see July approvals coming in hordes.
Good luck to all of you.
tattoo of the Bentley Mulsanne
GCVictim
02-18 02:58 PM
Looks like they doesn't want to move GC Dates. President has to give green signal to pass this. I don't know when will happen this.
more...
pictures 2011 Bentley Mulsanne –
digital2k
05-03 07:58 PM
This is The call
Don't miss the chance
IV and We suceeded in July, 2 Year EAD and many more ...
Pls pick up the phone and do your bit
IV is YOU and is Your Best Friend
As the CIR bill outline is getting introduced today, we all need to do our share in making our voice heard. Our issues are real and affect about a million people patiently waiting in line for past several years. We are high-skilled immigrants who have followed all the rules and contribute significantly to the innovation and economy of this county. Our strength is our grassroots efforts, so let us all call our lawmakers and ask them to take immediate action on the immigration bill.
Call your Legislators:
Immigration Voice is organizing a nationwide call-the-lawmakers drive. We request members to call each and every senator and congress member. This drive will precede the �Advocacy Day(s)� in Washington, DC and �Meet the lawmaker� drive in local districts. Members can use this phone call conversation with their local lawmaker offices to follow-up with lawmakers when they meet during the break just after the Memorial day.
Don�t miss this opportunity:
This is the perfect time to call the lawmakers. The bill needs a push via support from people like us and all lawmakers needs to be encouraged and urged to help us. There are indications that there will be lot of activity on immigration issues in both House and Senate after the Memorial day. We need to make those activities go in our favor and not die like the CIR bill in 2006 & 2007. Thus it is important to starting calling lawmakers, starting from the Senate members. In order to capitalize on this opportunity, it is very important that everyone calls every lawmaker of this country. The similar next opportunity will be in 2013. We can participate now or we will all have ourselves to blame.
When:
This campaign starts today at 4:00 PM EST on 29th April, 2010) (Today) and will run until the end of next week. All IV members are encouraged to make multiple phone calls whenever they find some time during the day.
Who:
This is the order in which we would prefer that members call. Call all the senators listed here, even if they are not from your state.
This is the list of offices where there is maximum potential to swing votes either because they are new in the US senate or because they may be reconsidering their position on CIR if the bill has stricter provisions in it.
TIER I: LIST OF KEY SENATORS FOR CIR
Senator Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts)
(202) 224-4543 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************(202) 224-4543******end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Senator Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire)
(202) 224-3324
Senator Richard Lugar (R-Indiana)
(202) 224-4814
Senator Michael Enzi (R-Wyoming)
(202) 224-3424
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina)
(202) 224-5972
Senator John Ensign (R-Nevada)
(202) 224-6244
Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah)
(202) 224-5251
Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas)
(202) 224-2934
Senator John Kyl (R-Texas)
(202) 224-4521
Senator Mitch Mcconnell (R-Kentuky)
(202) 224-2541
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota)
(202) 224-3244
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri)
(202) 224-6154
Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana)
(202) 224-2644
Senator Jim Webb (D-Virginia)
(202) 224-4024
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island)
(202) 224-2921
What you could say to the Senator offices listed above:
When you call:
Be courteous. Tell the lawmaker office that:
--------------------------------------------
I am a high skilled immigrant and a member of Immigration Voice. I fully support the proposed comprehensive immigration reform bill due to be introduced later in the day today.
I am calling to express my support for the high skilled provisions to resolve the current green card backlogs of the doctors, engineers, research scientist and professors etc. This group of highly skilled immigrants stimulates every part of the economy participating in creating economic prosperity, innovation and entrepreneurship for creating more jobs in America.
I strongly urge the Senator to please support this bill. If it is possible, could you please share the position of the Senator on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill?
Thank you and I am counting on the Senator�s support for this very important bill of national priority. Please convey regards to the Senator.
--------------------------------------------
If you belong to the constituency (State) of the lawmaker, then tell them that you belong to their district/state and are calling to seek their help. If you are talking to a Senator office then tell them you are anxiously waiting for a Senators support for the immigration bill.
- Then ask: What is the lawmaker�s position on this bill/issue for you? If the position is
- Supportive: Then thank the lawmaker office for it.
- If they oppose it: Then request them to support the high skilled green card provisions of the bill that will greatly help you. You sincerely hope that the lawmaker will reconsider his/her position and help you.
- Be polite and persuasive in your message.
Question What if some Senators say they do not support amnesty. -
Answer "For last 10 years there has been no High-skilled immigration bill passed by the Congress. The world has changed in last 10 years. I understand that the Senator is a champion for creating more jobs in America. Employment based green cards will create jobs in America. I want to start my own company and hire people in America. But I cannot do that if I don't have a green card.
I would sincerely request you to please convey to the Senator if he would consider supporting some version of the immigration bill
giving more weight to green cards and creating jobs in America, or maybe the Senator could lead the effort for improving the proposal"
TIER II: LIST OF KEY SENATORS SPONSORING OR CO-SPONSORING CIR BILL
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nevada)
(202) 224-3542
Senator Dick Durbin (Illinois)
(202) 224-2152
Senator Chuck Schumer (New York)
(202) 224-6542
Senator Patrick Leahy (Vermont)
(202) 224-4242
Senator Dianne Feinstein (California)
(202) 224-3841
Senator Bob Menendez (New Jersey)
(202) 224-4744
Sen. Ben Cardin (Maryland)
(202) 224-4524
What:
When you call:
Be courteous. Tell the lawmaker office that:
--------------------------------------------
I am a high skilled immigrant and a member of Immigration Voice. I fully support the proposed comprehensive immigration reform bill due to be introduced later in the day today.
Thank you for the Senator�s leadership on this very important issue of immigration. Please convey my gratitude, full support and regards to the Senator.
--------------------------------------------
- Be polite and persuasive in your message.
Stick to the message and you will really make a big difference.
Please post the outcome of your call on this thread. For more information please contact IV.
Thank You,
Immigration Voice
Don't miss the chance
IV and We suceeded in July, 2 Year EAD and many more ...
Pls pick up the phone and do your bit
IV is YOU and is Your Best Friend
As the CIR bill outline is getting introduced today, we all need to do our share in making our voice heard. Our issues are real and affect about a million people patiently waiting in line for past several years. We are high-skilled immigrants who have followed all the rules and contribute significantly to the innovation and economy of this county. Our strength is our grassroots efforts, so let us all call our lawmakers and ask them to take immediate action on the immigration bill.
Call your Legislators:
Immigration Voice is organizing a nationwide call-the-lawmakers drive. We request members to call each and every senator and congress member. This drive will precede the �Advocacy Day(s)� in Washington, DC and �Meet the lawmaker� drive in local districts. Members can use this phone call conversation with their local lawmaker offices to follow-up with lawmakers when they meet during the break just after the Memorial day.
Don�t miss this opportunity:
This is the perfect time to call the lawmakers. The bill needs a push via support from people like us and all lawmakers needs to be encouraged and urged to help us. There are indications that there will be lot of activity on immigration issues in both House and Senate after the Memorial day. We need to make those activities go in our favor and not die like the CIR bill in 2006 & 2007. Thus it is important to starting calling lawmakers, starting from the Senate members. In order to capitalize on this opportunity, it is very important that everyone calls every lawmaker of this country. The similar next opportunity will be in 2013. We can participate now or we will all have ourselves to blame.
When:
This campaign starts today at 4:00 PM EST on 29th April, 2010) (Today) and will run until the end of next week. All IV members are encouraged to make multiple phone calls whenever they find some time during the day.
Who:
This is the order in which we would prefer that members call. Call all the senators listed here, even if they are not from your state.
This is the list of offices where there is maximum potential to swing votes either because they are new in the US senate or because they may be reconsidering their position on CIR if the bill has stricter provisions in it.
TIER I: LIST OF KEY SENATORS FOR CIR
Senator Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts)
(202) 224-4543 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************(202) 224-4543******end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Senator Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire)
(202) 224-3324
Senator Richard Lugar (R-Indiana)
(202) 224-4814
Senator Michael Enzi (R-Wyoming)
(202) 224-3424
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina)
(202) 224-5972
Senator John Ensign (R-Nevada)
(202) 224-6244
Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah)
(202) 224-5251
Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas)
(202) 224-2934
Senator John Kyl (R-Texas)
(202) 224-4521
Senator Mitch Mcconnell (R-Kentuky)
(202) 224-2541
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota)
(202) 224-3244
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri)
(202) 224-6154
Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana)
(202) 224-2644
Senator Jim Webb (D-Virginia)
(202) 224-4024
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island)
(202) 224-2921
What you could say to the Senator offices listed above:
When you call:
Be courteous. Tell the lawmaker office that:
--------------------------------------------
I am a high skilled immigrant and a member of Immigration Voice. I fully support the proposed comprehensive immigration reform bill due to be introduced later in the day today.
I am calling to express my support for the high skilled provisions to resolve the current green card backlogs of the doctors, engineers, research scientist and professors etc. This group of highly skilled immigrants stimulates every part of the economy participating in creating economic prosperity, innovation and entrepreneurship for creating more jobs in America.
I strongly urge the Senator to please support this bill. If it is possible, could you please share the position of the Senator on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill?
Thank you and I am counting on the Senator�s support for this very important bill of national priority. Please convey regards to the Senator.
--------------------------------------------
If you belong to the constituency (State) of the lawmaker, then tell them that you belong to their district/state and are calling to seek their help. If you are talking to a Senator office then tell them you are anxiously waiting for a Senators support for the immigration bill.
- Then ask: What is the lawmaker�s position on this bill/issue for you? If the position is
- Supportive: Then thank the lawmaker office for it.
- If they oppose it: Then request them to support the high skilled green card provisions of the bill that will greatly help you. You sincerely hope that the lawmaker will reconsider his/her position and help you.
- Be polite and persuasive in your message.
Question What if some Senators say they do not support amnesty. -
Answer "For last 10 years there has been no High-skilled immigration bill passed by the Congress. The world has changed in last 10 years. I understand that the Senator is a champion for creating more jobs in America. Employment based green cards will create jobs in America. I want to start my own company and hire people in America. But I cannot do that if I don't have a green card.
I would sincerely request you to please convey to the Senator if he would consider supporting some version of the immigration bill
giving more weight to green cards and creating jobs in America, or maybe the Senator could lead the effort for improving the proposal"
TIER II: LIST OF KEY SENATORS SPONSORING OR CO-SPONSORING CIR BILL
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nevada)
(202) 224-3542
Senator Dick Durbin (Illinois)
(202) 224-2152
Senator Chuck Schumer (New York)
(202) 224-6542
Senator Patrick Leahy (Vermont)
(202) 224-4242
Senator Dianne Feinstein (California)
(202) 224-3841
Senator Bob Menendez (New Jersey)
(202) 224-4744
Sen. Ben Cardin (Maryland)
(202) 224-4524
What:
When you call:
Be courteous. Tell the lawmaker office that:
--------------------------------------------
I am a high skilled immigrant and a member of Immigration Voice. I fully support the proposed comprehensive immigration reform bill due to be introduced later in the day today.
Thank you for the Senator�s leadership on this very important issue of immigration. Please convey my gratitude, full support and regards to the Senator.
--------------------------------------------
- Be polite and persuasive in your message.
Stick to the message and you will really make a big difference.
Please post the outcome of your call on this thread. For more information please contact IV.
Thank You,
Immigration Voice
dresses 2011 Bentley Mulsanne
hazishak
07-18 07:22 PM
what happens when dates retrogress? If my PD is 2000 Jan (assume) and some one else has 2001 Jan (assume) with RDs July/2007 and Mar/2007 respectively and in August 2007 PD cut off date went back to 2000 Feb (assume) then does it mean that 2000 Jan PD is ineligible to get the adjudication before the guy with PD 2001 Jan because the RD is later for this case? Again if the answer to this question is yes then ,when the PD is set at 2000 Feb why are they accepting new AOS apps which satisfy this PD cutoff date because if they process by RD(at all times) they are not likely to consider these for adjudication anyway? Is it just for our benifit that we can get an EAD? If I go down this path I donot understand the purpose of the whole PD in this process.
The thing I am trying to understand is 'if PD is not significant in AOS why is it there at all in the visa bulletin'. If RD overrides the PD at the AOS stage then instead of specifying a PD in the Visa bulletin they can just say that
"We are accepting new AOS applications" and then adjudicate them in the order of the RD.
These are all just my thoughts and am trying to put them together. I may very well be wrong in my basic understanding of this process. Thank you for your previous reply. That was helpful.
In your case you will get the percedence over the 2000 PD. His is PD is not curent at time of processing. If the cut off date is after 2001 which means both are cuurent then the later guy will take precedence since his RD is earlier than your's.
The thing I am trying to understand is 'if PD is not significant in AOS why is it there at all in the visa bulletin'. If RD overrides the PD at the AOS stage then instead of specifying a PD in the Visa bulletin they can just say that
"We are accepting new AOS applications" and then adjudicate them in the order of the RD.
These are all just my thoughts and am trying to put them together. I may very well be wrong in my basic understanding of this process. Thank you for your previous reply. That was helpful.
In your case you will get the percedence over the 2000 PD. His is PD is not curent at time of processing. If the cut off date is after 2001 which means both are cuurent then the later guy will take precedence since his RD is earlier than your's.
more...
makeup 2011 entley mulsanne interior
immi_enthu
09-28 06:36 PM
Oh Law Firm Update :
09/28/2007: Depressing News for the Year-End Backend 485 Delays and Potential Waste of Visa Numbers for FY 2007
Unconfirmed sources indicate that two days before the end of FY 2007, there may be a substantial number of 485 applications for which visa numbers are available but have yet to be adjudicated, indicating that some visa numbers could be wasted this year. We know that the Service Centers have been working day and night and did not have enough resources to deal with the crisis which was brought about by the recent Visa Bulletin fiasco. We just hope for the better new fiscal year that will start from October 1, 2007.
09/28/2007: Depressing News for the Year-End Backend 485 Delays and Potential Waste of Visa Numbers for FY 2007
Unconfirmed sources indicate that two days before the end of FY 2007, there may be a substantial number of 485 applications for which visa numbers are available but have yet to be adjudicated, indicating that some visa numbers could be wasted this year. We know that the Service Centers have been working day and night and did not have enough resources to deal with the crisis which was brought about by the recent Visa Bulletin fiasco. We just hope for the better new fiscal year that will start from October 1, 2007.
girlfriend 2011 Bentley Mulsanne Interior
rajeev_74
04-25 02:44 PM
I just wanted to bring it to the table...I think all of us have the right to voice our opinion & looks like we all have in the case. Now it should be upto the IV to take it or leave it. They are the leaders in this initative & let them make the final call on if it needs to be part of our agenda or not. Thanks
hairstyles Bentley Mulsanne Interior
sandy_anand
07-19 10:48 AM
My case was filed on Feb 27th. Still pending. No response from Atlanta. I have 11 more days to go and after that it doesn't matter when I get my PERM as I would be locked out for potentially 5-6 years! This system is not fair at all...if I was working in one of the western states, I could have filed even today and get certified in 2-3 days....
learning01
04-25 05:18 PM
Tell me, in any of the bills that came in 2005, PACE, CIR. Dream Act etc., or later, IS there even one mention or a discussion of changing the PD? Let's discuss more on how to bring out more into the open, the issues the H1 visa holders are facing from their small time employers in applying for permanent residence, backlog issues and how redtape is destroying these young men's goals, about lack of visa numbers.
Why there is even a provision in the last Senate bill, for illegals to SELF petition for GC, if employer doen't apply in 2 years. Let's discuss about a similar provision for H1 visa holders who are legally working here, paying taxes. Let's discuss even more important issue.
Why should we pay, SS Tax and Medicare if we are temporary workers. Let them START collecting once I-485 is applied.
This last point will resonate well with all It will be picked up easily; you will see the panic flying in the press, TVs, Senate and what not, when a simple mention of it is made.
These are the practical things we need to discuss. Not a theoritical PD definition, on which we have no locus standi.
I agree with this little bit but to implement will be tough. There are people coming into US on h1 and leaving every year from big indian consulting companies. It should be like below.
1. Priority date should be date when the person enters the country.
2. The person should have paid taxes consecutively for n years(n=3.4.5...)
3. This should be applicable only for H1 and not for any other visa categories.
If the above is not possible, then
1. Labor substiution should be allowed only for the person who is in US continiously for n years(n=3.4.5...) and paid taxes. With this approach, a new comer cannot get the exisitng labor. Win Win to all.
Why there is even a provision in the last Senate bill, for illegals to SELF petition for GC, if employer doen't apply in 2 years. Let's discuss about a similar provision for H1 visa holders who are legally working here, paying taxes. Let's discuss even more important issue.
Why should we pay, SS Tax and Medicare if we are temporary workers. Let them START collecting once I-485 is applied.
This last point will resonate well with all It will be picked up easily; you will see the panic flying in the press, TVs, Senate and what not, when a simple mention of it is made.
These are the practical things we need to discuss. Not a theoritical PD definition, on which we have no locus standi.
I agree with this little bit but to implement will be tough. There are people coming into US on h1 and leaving every year from big indian consulting companies. It should be like below.
1. Priority date should be date when the person enters the country.
2. The person should have paid taxes consecutively for n years(n=3.4.5...)
3. This should be applicable only for H1 and not for any other visa categories.
If the above is not possible, then
1. Labor substiution should be allowed only for the person who is in US continiously for n years(n=3.4.5...) and paid taxes. With this approach, a new comer cannot get the exisitng labor. Win Win to all.
ragz4u
03-16 03:29 PM
WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today reached agreement on proposals for a new guest-worker program and a plan to allow the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States to become permanent residents.
Less than 24 hours after most experts and Capitol Hill watchers believed the committee would be unable to get a bill to the Senate floor by Majority Leader Bill Frist's March 27 deadline, committee Chairman Arlen Specter had brokered deals between some key senators on the complex issue.
No formal votes were taken and committee staffs were preparing to spend the next 10 days drafting language that would put in place the compromises reached. It appeared that at least a dozen of the 18 members on the panel would be prepared to back this deal. The committee plans to meet first thing in the morning on March 27. It is not yet known whether Frist will allow the panel to finish and send its bill to the Senate floor or if he still plans to bring up a more limited, possibly enforcement-only measure.
But even if nothing scuttles the compromise between now and when lawmakers get back from recess, and if the Senate passes a bill with these elements, there would remain a steep battle to get agreement from the House. The House passed an enforcement-based measure in December that doesn't include a guest-worker program or a plan for undocumented immigrants in the United States now.
Early this afternoon, Frist announced his intention to introduce a bill before next week’s recess that would deal with enforcement of immigration laws but will not include any of the controversial guest-worker or illegal immigrant provisions. Officials in Frist’s office say he is doing this to ensure that there is a bill ready on the floor if the committee fails to pass one. If Specter does get a bill out of committee, said Frist press secretary Amy Call, that could be substituted for the majority leader’s measure.
The most likely scenario, said ardent supporters of immigration reform who were pleasantly stunned by today's events, is that this will end in a stalemate, only to be brought up again in the next Congress. But they say it's important that the Senate go on record as supporting comprehensive change.
For the first time, Specter, R-Pa., who said he spent hours on the phone last night with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., agreed to Kennedy's plan to deal with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. Specter would have allowed these people to work indefinitely but not get green cards. Kennedy wanted to give them a path to legalization.
Specter agreed this morning with Kennedy's approach, provided that these illegal immigrants would not be able to start legalization proceedings until the backlog of 3 million people now waiting in countries around the world for their chance to come to the United States legally get their green cards.
The deal reached on a new guest-worker plan says that 400,000 new guest workers would be allowed into the country each year. Under the proposal authored by Kennedy and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that number would have been unlimited. But Kennedy, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, agreed to a cap and also agreed that after working for two years, these new guest workers would have to go back to their home countries and reapply for another stint as guest workers, one that could last up to six years. But first they'd have to stay in their home countries for one year.
Built into this compromise, however, is a chance for these workers to get a waiver and not go home based on how long they have been employed here or if they are considered essential to a U.S. employer's business.
The plan also allows guest workers to apply for permanent U.S. residency, something not included in either Specter's bill or the other major proposal under consideration, the bill by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
Kennedy essentially compromised with Cornyn, who chairs the immigration subcommittee. The deal takes parts of each of their proposals.
Not all members of the committee agreed with these compromises.
Kyl said he still believed the illegal immigrants would get preference over those waiting legally in line overseas because the undocumented would be able to stay in the U.S. and work until their turn at a green card came. Those waiting to come here legally don't have that option, he said.
And several committee members most opposed to a guest-worker program – most notably Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., were not at this morning's session.
Less than 24 hours after most experts and Capitol Hill watchers believed the committee would be unable to get a bill to the Senate floor by Majority Leader Bill Frist's March 27 deadline, committee Chairman Arlen Specter had brokered deals between some key senators on the complex issue.
No formal votes were taken and committee staffs were preparing to spend the next 10 days drafting language that would put in place the compromises reached. It appeared that at least a dozen of the 18 members on the panel would be prepared to back this deal. The committee plans to meet first thing in the morning on March 27. It is not yet known whether Frist will allow the panel to finish and send its bill to the Senate floor or if he still plans to bring up a more limited, possibly enforcement-only measure.
But even if nothing scuttles the compromise between now and when lawmakers get back from recess, and if the Senate passes a bill with these elements, there would remain a steep battle to get agreement from the House. The House passed an enforcement-based measure in December that doesn't include a guest-worker program or a plan for undocumented immigrants in the United States now.
Early this afternoon, Frist announced his intention to introduce a bill before next week’s recess that would deal with enforcement of immigration laws but will not include any of the controversial guest-worker or illegal immigrant provisions. Officials in Frist’s office say he is doing this to ensure that there is a bill ready on the floor if the committee fails to pass one. If Specter does get a bill out of committee, said Frist press secretary Amy Call, that could be substituted for the majority leader’s measure.
The most likely scenario, said ardent supporters of immigration reform who were pleasantly stunned by today's events, is that this will end in a stalemate, only to be brought up again in the next Congress. But they say it's important that the Senate go on record as supporting comprehensive change.
For the first time, Specter, R-Pa., who said he spent hours on the phone last night with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., agreed to Kennedy's plan to deal with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. Specter would have allowed these people to work indefinitely but not get green cards. Kennedy wanted to give them a path to legalization.
Specter agreed this morning with Kennedy's approach, provided that these illegal immigrants would not be able to start legalization proceedings until the backlog of 3 million people now waiting in countries around the world for their chance to come to the United States legally get their green cards.
The deal reached on a new guest-worker plan says that 400,000 new guest workers would be allowed into the country each year. Under the proposal authored by Kennedy and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that number would have been unlimited. But Kennedy, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, agreed to a cap and also agreed that after working for two years, these new guest workers would have to go back to their home countries and reapply for another stint as guest workers, one that could last up to six years. But first they'd have to stay in their home countries for one year.
Built into this compromise, however, is a chance for these workers to get a waiver and not go home based on how long they have been employed here or if they are considered essential to a U.S. employer's business.
The plan also allows guest workers to apply for permanent U.S. residency, something not included in either Specter's bill or the other major proposal under consideration, the bill by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
Kennedy essentially compromised with Cornyn, who chairs the immigration subcommittee. The deal takes parts of each of their proposals.
Not all members of the committee agreed with these compromises.
Kyl said he still believed the illegal immigrants would get preference over those waiting legally in line overseas because the undocumented would be able to stay in the U.S. and work until their turn at a green card came. Those waiting to come here legally don't have that option, he said.
And several committee members most opposed to a guest-worker program – most notably Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., were not at this morning's session.
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